We’re excited to be hosting Rick Deluca, a nationally-respected real estate speaker and coach, right here in Central Pennsylvania!  The seminar topic will be “Achieving Success in A Changed Market”, and it will be held at the Holiday Inn at York, PA on April 29^th.

Learn more about Rick at www.RickDeluca.com.  Since his start in 1976, he has been a top producing agent, company owner and sought-after sales trainer offering real-world, practical tips for growing your business and staying productive.

Continental Breakfast:    8:30

Rick DeLuca:   9:00-Noon

Cost:  Free!

Vendors, Door Prizes will also be available...if you're interested in growing your business in 2009 this is a great opportunity to get motivated and

Sponsored by:  Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, Home National Mortgage and Guardian Transfer

Jim Gillespie, CEO of Coldwell Banker, was a guest on Fox Business last Thursday to discuss the housing recovery.  It was an excellent interview.  Here's the clip:

Selecting a real estate sales associate to assist in the large financial transaction involved with buying or selling a home can be a daunting process. While chemistry between the real estate professional and the consumer is important, it is not the only variable to consider. The history of the company, a sales associate’s success rate and the vibrancy of the local market are all things to keep in mind as well.

In order to streamline the decision making process, the professionals at Coldwell Banker Select Professionals have provided a list of questions to ask and guidelines to follow when screening a prospective real estate professional.

What percent of your company’s listings have sold in the last 12 months? Ideally a seller will want to work with a sales associate who has a high percentage of completed transactions within the local market. While this number will vary depending upon how active the local real estate market is, a higher percentage is preferable.

What was the average amount of time it took to sell those listings? Comparing marketing times between real estate companies will provide the consumer with an indication of how well that company and its sales associates market homes.

What was the average sales price? Look for a figure that is close to what you would like to receive for your home.

What was your company’s list-price to sale-price ratio? Significant differences between original listing prices and ultimate sale prices can be an indication that the list prices quoted at the outset were unrealistic.  

Retirement Communities May Benefit From Silver Lining in Economic Downturn

53 Percent of Surveyed Coldwell Banker® Real Estate Professionals in Retirement Havens Report Increase in Retirees Ages 60 and Younger Purchasing Homes
          
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (April 14, 2009) – According to a recent national survey of Coldwell Banker®  real estate professionals, over half of those who work in popular retirement areas are seeing younger retirees (ages 60 and under) looking to purchase homes in their markets.

Furthermore, 43 percent of all the sales associates and brokers surveyed believe market and economic conditions may cause an increase in demand for retiree homes in their areas throughout the next year.

“Over the past couple of years, home prices have declined significantly in the majority of markets with traditional appeal to retirees,” said Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “Younger retirees are taking advantage of these desirable prices and turning the economic downturn into an opportunity.”

While the survey indicates that this is emerging trend across the country, driving factors seem to vary regionally.  For example, anecdotal feedback from Coldwell Banker real estate professionals in South Florida finds pre-retirees taking real estate-related steps now to support longer-term goals.  “Many individuals not yet ready to retire are purchasing these homes and leasing them until they are prepared to move permanently,” said Elaine Harari of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Bay Harbor Islands, Fla.

In desirable areas with low property taxes, such as northeast Arkansas, it’s more common for younger retirees to move from more expensive cities; some even taking jobs for which they can telecommute to save money.  Additionally, Coldwell Banker professionals in Michigan note that some retirement communities are experiencing an influx of former automobile company employees who have received early retirement packages.

Andrew Briele, president of Coldwell Banker First Affiliate in Sedona, Ariz. reports a recent increase in sales volume.  “Lifestyle is certainly the reason why so many choose to move to Sedona.  We have 360 days of sunshine.  With the 30 percent price corrections we have experienced, many individuals who are at or near retirement are realizing this is a great opportunity for them.  Some buyers who have lost their jobs, taken retirement packages or sold their businesses are moving up their plans for retirement and taking advantage of the low mortgage rates and home prices.  Others, who are already here, are moving up.”

The Coldwell Banker real estate professionals surveyed offered their perspectives on the top reasons retirees are buying or selling homes, and 33 percent said the No. 1 reason retirees are moving right now is to live closer to their families. Interestingly, 12 percent cited improvements in housing conditions, such as buyer-friendly home prices and interest rates, as the key drivers.

Other results from the overall survey include:

    * 53 percent of Coldwell Banker real estate professionals have observed an increase in retirees who plan to downsize from their primary residences into smaller properties.

    * 37 percent are seeing an increased number of retirees who own more than one property sell their primary residences to move to their secondary homes.

    * 23 percent are seeing more people buy different homes for retirement, or move into their previously purchased retirement properties earlier than expected.

Methodology: Coldwell Banker conducted an online survey on trends regarding retirement-aged home buyers in March 2009.  The survey yielded responses from 1,475 Coldwell Banker real estate professionals across the United States, including 423 agents and brokers in communities typically described as “havens for retirees.”

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2008, Franchise Times magazine’s prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system No. 1 in real estate for the ninth straight year and 12th among franchisors in all industries. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,500 residential real estate offices and 105,300 sales associates in 46 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury property through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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Century 21 Fagan & Associates Join Coldwell Banker Select Professionals

(Lancaster, PA – April 6, 2009) -- Century 21 Fagan & Associates announced today that they have merged with Coldwell Banker Select Professionals of Lancaster, PA effective immediately.  All operations will move to Coldwell Banker Select Professionals’ Lancaster office at 1000 North Prince Street in Lancaster City, PA.

Century 21 Fagan & Associates has served the Lancaster County PA area for years and will now offer customers products and services exclusive to The Coldwell Banker System.  Fagan & Associates has 28 real estate sales associates who will join with 91 Coldwell Banker Select Professionals sales associates in 4 regional offices.

According to Jim Gillespie, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation, "Coldwell Banker welcomes brokerages who have an outstanding reputation and exceptional understanding of their market. We are proud to have Century 21 Fagan & Associates joining us as part of our organization."  Ryan Hess, CEO of Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, added “we’ve known the team at Century 21 Fagan & Associates for years and are looking forward to helping their agents continue to be successful in this challenging market”.

Coldwell Banker Select Professionals is one of the fastest-growing real estate firms in Central Pennsylvania, with offices in Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin & York Counties staffed by professional real estate agents, in-house mortgage officers and title experts. 

Please direct questions on the merger to Ryan Hess at 717-735-8400.